Edith Hejberg
Humanitarian workers in northern Gaza have been warned by the Israeli military that only hospitals will be treated as protected sites.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) communicated that all other aid facilities, including shelters and distribution centres, could be targeted. In recent conversations with aid groups, the IDF reinforced that its evacuation order for Gaza City applies to all humanitarian sites, except hospitals.
Evacuation Orders Amid Heavy Bombardment
Gaza City is under intense military pressure. Israeli forces expanded their operations on Friday, striking what they claim are Hamas targets.
Between 250,000 and 500,000 residents have already fled. But many, including families with children, say they are unable to leave. A journey to the south now costs up to $2,000, a price few can afford.
Voices From the Ground: ‘It Is a Tragic Situation’
Displaced Palestinians report relentless shelling and limited options. “All night long, the tank was firing shells,” said Toufic Abu Mouawad, who fled a camp but has nowhere else to go.
“I want to flee with the boys, the girls, the children. This is the situation that we are living in. It is a very tragic situation.”
Southern Gaza: Crowded and Under Strain
Israeli officials say they’re preparing a “humanitarian zone” in al-Mawasi, a coastal area in southern Gaza. Efforts include building aid sites, providing limited water and electricity, and allowing some supplies in.
But aid workers say conditions remain dire, with the majority of Gaza’s population now crammed into a small enclave.
Northern Gaza Lies in Ruins
After nearly two years of conflict, much of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been devastated. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have left buildings flattened and infrastructure unusable.
“People might want to go back, but what would they go back to?” said one senior aid official. “There is a real question mark over how you would live.”
Doubts Over Hospital Protection
Despite the IDF’s assurances, humanitarian organisations remain sceptical that even hospitals are truly safe.
Medical facilities have been repeatedly hit throughout the conflict, casting doubt on their protected status.
Aid Efforts Face Obstacles and Controversy
The Israeli army has built two new aid hubs near Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, to be run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, US- and Israel-backed group.
GHF claims it distributed 12 truckloads of food this week, but its operations are opaque and some of its sites have reportedly shut down.
Southern Crossings Overwhelmed
The main checkpoint serving northern Gaza has been closed for over a week. Aid must now enter through the south, where bottlenecks and IDF restrictions complicate delivery.
Last month, UN-backed experts declared a famine in Gaza City, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.
Aid Flows Improving, But Not Enough
Roughly 250 aid trucks now enter Gaza daily, a modest increase.
But experts say it’s not nearly enough. “It is better no doubt than in June and July,” said Katy Crosby from Mercy Corps, “but not the kind of better that will move the needle in any major way.”
Political Motives Behind the Offensive?
Some Israeli commentators argue the renewed push into Gaza City may be politically motivated. Critics suggest Prime Minister Netanyahu is using the war to delay elections and satisfy far-right allies who wish to see northern Gaza permanently emptied.
Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich recently called Gaza a “real-estate bonanza,” according to local media.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
